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A note from the Director: What did you think you were going to be when you grew up? Did you have an image of the person you would be when you reached the prime of your life? Growing up in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s amongst the emerging women’s lib movement and all of the accompanying expectations, free thinking and free love and post modernism influences, I sure had a lot of ideas of who I should be. Hey, I majored in philosophy and minored in religion! So….how did my life turn out? Well, not quite as planned. Was that a good thing…or did I miss the boat? That is what fascinated me about The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. I totally get Marjorie’s dilemma, and find this adventure in self-exploration both familiar….and very funny. What a great opportunity it would be to see how I would have been on that path not taken. Might be a bit of a shocker to my 40 years later self! Would I choose who I thought I should have been…or who I have become? We – the cast, crew, production team and I – have had a great journey exploring this very clever and witty piece, and feel privileged to bring it to life on the stage for you. Join us…and contemplate your dreams vs. your life, and have a laugh when you understand that your life has been well lived….regardless of whether it was lived as planned or took shape as it ought to be.
Debbie Levin Director theatreworks.us
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2016 Spring Concerts
Matthew Travis, Music Director MUSIC FOR HOLY WEEK Classical Works with String Quartet and Organ Sunday, March 20th, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, New Milford, CT DURUFLĒ REQUIEM With Madalyn McHugh, Mezzo-Soprano and David Baranowski, organist Sunday, June 12th, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Kent School Chapel, Kent, CT
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Sincere thanks to all our supporters
Artists $5,000+ • Grant & Jacqui Smith • Tillie Page Laird • Theodore W. Hine Playwrights Circle $1,500+ • The James J. McInerney & Gary R. Fafard Foundation • Connecticut Office of the Arts • Savings Bank of Danbury
Directors Circle $1,000+ • William & Susan Dahl
Sponsors $500+
• Stephen & Madeline Anbinder • Francis Arcaro • John & Kathy Bolster • Connecticut Community Foundation Pathways for Older Adults • In memory of Jessie Fous • Gloria & Stephen Gorell • Diane & Martin Gucker • Russell Posthauer, Jr. • Elizabeth & Roger Smith • Stephen Sondheim
Partners $250+
• Norman Adler & Michele Shackelford • Glenn & Dionne Couture • June Baldyga • Siubhan Fallon • Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Greenspan • Heritage Village Theatre Guild • Donald Karcheski • Warren Rubin • Paul Sinclaire
Advocates $100+
• Kay & Lou Abella • Angela & Joseph Barna • Donald Bickford • James Booth • Cecilia & Bill Buck-Taylor • Margie Bueide • Candlewood Animal Hospital • John Caraszi • Pat Catchpole • Annmarie Cochrell • Michael & Nelly Condon • Wright Danenbarger • Suzanne & Robert Deilus • David & Kathy Elmore • Tom Fogarty • Gay Heritage, Southbury, CT • Stan Greenbaum & Paula A. Cassidy • Harold & Patty Jacobson • Alfred & Skip Jennings • Eric & Liz Jones • Erin Kampa • In memory of Eric & Frances Keoble • Marilyn Lieff • Diane & David Lockwood • Jeanne McRoberts • Ronald Molles • Craig Morrison • Michael Natal • Carmel O’neill • Pace Family • Penny Palmer • Maura & Frederick Pauli • Joe Privitera • Philip & Hannah Schum • Jim & Chrissy Scrimgeour • Sherry & Stephen Seward • Lisa & Chris Simo-Kinzer • Natalie Slavin • David & Alice Sprintzen • Richard & Joanne Sterk • Nancy Tolmoff • Susan & Henry Tritter • Michael & Evelyn Weinstein • Lynda Willingham
Associates $50+
• Anonymous • Anonymous • Barbara Ajello & John Lundin • Ellen Alpert • Mark Baranovic & Mary Hanifin • Jody Bayer • Roberta & Jeff Boyle • Denise Caplane • Greg Chrzczon • Joseph & Diane Czarnik • Christine Daley • Marian Dar • David Fish • Susan Fogarty • Bert & Vivian Goff • Kristen Gould • Toni & Bob Grossman • Anita Grover • Holly Guerrera • Barbara & Doug Henry • Christy & Jeff Johnson • Marilyn Johnson • Joann Kjep • Deborah Levin • Ann M. Mckinney • Susan Metcalf • Penelope Morgan • Kristin Mulhare • Cathy Neill • Sonnie Osborne • Drika Purves • Juanita Rosillo • Judith Seppa • Alan Southard • Henry Spector • Hillary & Arthur Stern • Carl Stuart • Jacqueline Tougas • Gerard Toumey • Barbara & Albert Uziel • Grace & Tom Vetter • Anne Waldman • Brenda Warren • Mary Wilson
presents
The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife by Charles Busch directed by Debbie Levin
The Cast Marjorie M.J. Hartell
Lee Green Dr. Ira Taub Freida Mohammed
Rosemary Howard* Mitchell Prywes Jody Bayer Matt Austin
Setting
An apartment, Manhattan The turn of the new century, early 2000 There will be one 15-minute intermission Running time approximately two hours
*Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association. Originally produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club on February 8, 2000. Subsequently produced on Broadway by Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Daryl Roth, Stuart Thompson and Douglas S. Cramer on November 2, 2000.
“The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Music licensing via American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Production Staff
Director............................................................................................... Debbie Levin Stage Manager................................................................................Barbara Disraeli Assistant Stage Manager...............................................................Melissa Ridenour Costume Design................................................................................ Kitty Ridenour Set Design.................................................................................... Richard Pettibone Scenic Dressing & Painting..........................................................Glenn R. Couture Builders.....................................Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski, Jay Novicky, ..................................Frank Russo, Sonnie Osborne, John Bolster, Russ Posthauer Lighting Design.............................................. Richard Pettibone, Scott Wyshynski Sound Design..................................................................................... Tom Libonate Running Crew.............................................................. Lori Franzese, Steve Larson House Managers.......................................Mary Kimball, Christine Daley, Jill Pace Publicist..............................................................................................Tom Libonate Photography....................................................................... Ghostlight Photography Web Site................................................................................printplusdesignllc.com Producer...................................................................................... Richard Pettibone Special Thanks • FM97.3 WZBG Backstage with Johnny O • Suzi Pettibone • Jim Hipp •
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST M. J. Hartell (Marjorie) appeared most recently at TheatreWorks in The Game’s Afoot! She cannot think of a better place to have a mid-life crisis than onstage at this well-loved theater. M.J. thanks Debbie for this opportunity and for putting together such a great team. Favorite Theatreworks shows in which she has performed include: Barefoot in the Park, Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Fuddy Meers. M.J. has also performed at The Brookfield Playhouse, Ridgefield Theater Barn, Musicals at Richter and D’Art. Presently, she is performing daily as a middle school English teacher at Talcott Mountain Academy for gifted and talented students. M. J. dedicates her performance to Liz Marek, her close friend and theater mentor who was killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103. Rosemary Howard* (Lee Green) This marks Rosemary’s debut at TheatreWorks who is enjoying this fabulous venue - “supportive, welcoming staff and crew; generous stage space; great acoustics; beautiful historic building!” Otherwise in her recent stage work in CT and NYC she experienced a change in how she is cast - formerly the (sometimes frumpy) character role (i.e. Ivy Weston in August: Osage County) now to glamorous sexpots (i.e. Diana in Lend Me A Tenor, Celia in Calendar Girls). Either is fun as long as she is being cast, but she would like to thank Tim H. for seeing this un-mined side so
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST others (including herself) believe her range. As for the big screen, Rosemary can be seen (and heard!) in the recent releases, Hits and True Story (currently on Netflix and HBO, respectively), and completed a lead in an upcoming indie feature, Neighbors. She is also grateful to work again under Debbie’s direction on this role which proved surprisingly challenging. Lastly, a shout out to Austin R. for facilitating her participation! *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract Mitchell Prywes, M.D. (Dr. Ira Taub) is thrilled to be making his TheatreWorks debut with such a talented ensemble of actors. When not onstage as an allergist, Dr. Prywes is the Medical Director at The Center For Pain Rehabilitation in Danbury (www.centerforpainrehab.com), providing Integrative Pain Management to patients with neck, back, and musculoskeletal pain. He also educates the public about healthcare issues (doc4healing@twitter.com ), and has performed stand-up comedy (www.doc4comedy) at Caroline’s Comedy Club, Mohegan Sun Cabaret, The Ridgefield Playhouse, and The Danbury Palace. He would like to thank Debbie Levin for this opportunity, and his wife and family for their support. Jody Bayer (Freida) is kveling (beaming with pride) over the opportunity to share the stage with this hysterical cast under the brilliant and thoughtful direction of Debbie Levin! In a word, she considers them mishpocha (family). Jody is delighted to be back at TheatreWorks where she was last seen as Aunt Queenie in Bell, Book and Candle, Rita Lyons (The Lyons), and Berthe (Boeing, Boeing). She has enjoyed the many rich and varied roles she’s performed with other local theater companies over the years such as Eleanor (The Lion In Winter), Edna Edison (Prisoner of Second Avenue), Sister Amnesia (Nunsense), and Madame Arcati (Blithe Spirit - Excellence In Acting Award, Theater Association of NY State). A recent highlight was Ridgefield Theater Barn’s sold out fall production of Calendar Girls as Chris. Believing that laughter is a daily necessity, she also enjoys performing comedy improv with the 17 Debacles troupe at TBTA. A sheynem dank (thank you very much) to Debbie, Peter, my family, and dear friends for supporting my creative passions and bringing me such naches (joy) every day! Matt Austin (Mohammed) is thrilled to return to the TW stage once again. Having appeared here in Boeing, Boeing and Bell, Book and Candle. Other acting credits include Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler on the Roof and The Laramie Project. Directing Credits include The Lyons, The Book of Liz, Be A Good Little Widow, The Prisoner of Second Avenue & The Divine Sister. He is a graduate
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
of WCSU as well as The Upright Citizen’s Brigade in NYC. Matt is the founder, and currently performs with, The Brookfield Theatre for The Art’s resident Improv troupe ‘17 Debacles’. He and Beth Young currently host the theater themed TV show ‘Cocktails & Curtain Calls’ on Charter. KITTY RIDENOUR (Costumes) has enjoyed helping Debbie with multiple plays over the last 10 years. She has also worked with Brewster Theater Company and Ridgefield Theater Barn and enjoys helping the performers to look their best on stage. Thank you to Debbie and TheaterWorks for allowing me to be a part of this show. BARBARA DISRAELI (Stage Manager) is delighted to be working for the first time at TheatreWorks for this wonderful show. Barbara has been involved both on stage and off stage in various area theaters such as The Actors Repertory, The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Ridgefield Theater Barn, and Brewster Theater Co. As S.M. she has worked on many shows including Brewster’s Blithe Spirit, Our Town, The Lion in Winter, and Brookfield’s The Normal Heart. On stage she most recently played Mrs. Rogers in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None in Brookfield. Other favorite roles include Mrs. Bradman in Blithe Spirit (TBTA); Grace in Bus Stop, Mrs. Potter in Tom Dick and Harry, Germaine in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Newtown); and Joyce in Grey Areas and Myrna in It’s About Forgiveness, in two one-act plays at the Spring Street Arts Center in South Salem, NY. She was recently involved in a short film, Only Moments (2014), accepted and screened at the Bethel 52 Film Festival, the VOB Film Festival and New Haven Film Festival. Special thanks to Debbie, Melissa and crew, the entire production team, and the incredibly talented cast for making this a wonderful experience. Debbie Levin (Director) is very pleased to be working at TheatreWorks for the first time. Her directing credits include, amongst others, Round and Round the Garden, All My Sons, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Calendar Girls at the Ridgefield Theater Barn; Steel Magnolias, Moon Over Buffalo, Nunsense, The Importance of Being Earnest, Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, The Rainmaker, and Blithe Spirit with BTC, The Philadelphia Story with YCP. She sends endless love to the ever-patient, ever-supportive love of her life, Jeff…and grateful thanks to this incredible, dedicated and talented cast and crew! CHARLES BUSCH (Playwright) is the author and star of such plays as The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. His play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife ran for nearly two years on Broadway, won the Outer Circle Critics’ John L. Gassner Award for playwriting and received a Tony nomination for Best Play. He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best
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WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival. For two seasons, he appeared as Nat Ginzburg on the HBO series OZ and is the author of the auto-biographical novel Whores of Lost Atlantis. He has directed two films; the Showtime short subject, Personal Assistant, and a feature, A Very Serious Person, which won an honorable mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. Due to his love and knowledge of film and theatre history, he has appeared in numerous documentaries for Turner Classic Movies and has lectured and conducted master classes at many colleges and universities including NYU, Harvard, UCLA and Amherst College. In 2003, Mr. Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright and was given a star on the Playwrights Walk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. He is also the subject of the acclaimed documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch. He is a graduate of Northwestern University. charlesbusch.com
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: www.samuelfrench.com/whitepaper
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